Fabrication of novel niclosamide-suspension using an electrospray system to improve its therapeutic effects in ovarian cancer cells in vitro

Autophagy-Inducing Inhalable Co-crystal Formulation of Niclosamide-Nicotinamide for Lung Cancer Therapy

Niclosamide (NIC), an anthelminthic drug, is found to be promising in overcoming the problem of various types of drug-resistant cancer. In spite of strong anti-proliferative effect, NIC shows low aqueous solubility, leading to poor bioavailability. To overcome this limitation, and enhance its physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic profile, we used co-crystallization technique as a promising strategy. In this work, we brought together the crystal and particle engineering at a time using spray drying to enhance physicochemical and aerodynamic properties of co-crystal particle for inhalation purpose. We investigated the formation and evaluation of pharmaceutical co-crystals of niclosamide-nicotinamide (NIC-NCT) prepared by rapid, continuous and scalable spray drying method and compared with conventional solvent evaporation technique. The newly formed co-crystal was evaluated by XRPD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and DSC, which showed an indication of formation of H bonds between drug (NIC) and co-former (NCT) as a major binding force in co-crystal development. The particle geometry of co-crystals including spherical shape, size 1-5 μm and aerodynamic properties (ED, 97.1 ± 8.9%; MMAD, 3.61 ± 0.87 μm; FPF, 71.74 ± 6.9% and GSD 1.46) attributes suitable for inhalation. For spray-dried co-crystal systems, an improvement in solubility characteristics (≥ 14.8-fold) was observed, relative to pure drug. To investigate the anti-proliferative activity, NIC-NCT co-crystals were investigated on A549 human lung adenomas cells, which showed a superior cytotoxic activity compared with pure drug. Mechanistically, NIC-NCT co-crystals enhanced autophagic flux in cancer cell which demonstrates autophagy-mediated cell death as shown by confocal microscopy. This technique could help in improving bioavailability of drug, hence reducing the need for high dosages and signifying a novel paradigm for future clinical applications.

CD133 Targeted PVP/PMMA Microparticle Incorporating Levamisole for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Levamisole (LEVA) is used to treat worm infections, but it can also inhibit cancer cell growth by inhibiting the aldehyde dehydrogenase pathway. Therefore, here, we developed a drug carrier targeting CD133, a biomarker overexpressed in ovarian cancer cells. The particle structure and cytotoxicity of the prepared LEVA-containing particles—called LEVA/PVP/PMMA microparticles (MPs) (because it used matrix material polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA))—were investigated in the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-3 and CP70. The particle size of the MPs was determined to be 1.0–1.5 µm and to be monodispersed. The hydrophilic property of PVP created a porous MP surface after the MPs were soaked in water for 20 min, which aided the leaching of the hydrophilic LEVA out of the MPs. The encapsulation efficiency of LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs could reach up to 20%. Free-form LEVA released 50% of drugs in <1 h and 90% of drugs in 1 day, whereas the drug release rate of LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs was much slower; 50% released in 4 h and only 70% of drugs released in 1 day. In the in vitro cell model test, 5 mM free-form LEVA and 0.1 g/mL CD133 targeted LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs reduced SKOV-3 cell viability by 60%; 0.1 g/mL LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs was equivalent to a similar dosage of the free drug. In addition, the cytotoxicity of CD133-conjugated LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs shows a different cytotoxicity response toward cell lines. For SKOV-3 cells, treatment with free-form LEVA or CD133-conjugated LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs exerted dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on SKOV-3 cell viability. However, CD133-conjugated LEVA/PVP/PMMA MPs demonstrated no significant dose-dependent cytotoxic efficacy toward CP70 cells.

Niclosamide repositioning for treating cancer: Challenges and nano-based drug delivery opportunities

Drug repositioning may be defined as a process when new biological effects for known drugs are identified, leading to recommendations for new therapeutic applications. Niclosamide, present in the Model List of Essential Medicines, from the World Health Organization, has been used since the 1960s for tapeworm infection. Several preclinical studies have been shown its impressive anticancer effects, which led to clinical trials for colon and prostate cancer. Despite high expectations, proof of efficacy and safety are still required, which are associated with diverse biopharmaceutical challenges, such as the physicochemical properties of the drug and its oral absorption, and their relationship with clinical outcomes. Nanostructured systems are innovative drug delivery strategies, which may provide interesting pharmaceutical advantages for this candidate. The aim of this review is to discuss challenges involving niclosamide repositioning for cancer diseases, and the opportunities of therapeutic benefits from nanosctrutured system formulations containing this compound.

Evaluation of Chitosan Derivative Microparticles Encapsulating Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide and Doxorubicin as a pH-Sensitive Delivery Carrier in Hepatic Carcinoma Treatment: An in vitro Comparison Study

We developed a novel, pH-sensitive drug delivery microparticle based on N-palmitoyl chitosan (NPCS) to transport the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The characteristics of NPCS were characterized through nuclear magnetic resonance. Our results based on testing of volume swelling in multiple pH aqueous solutions revealed that the modified chitosan had a pH-sensitive property. The morphology and size of the DOX-SPIO/NPCS microparticles were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The statistical result of microparticles had diameter of 185 ± 87 nm. Surface chemical moieties of DOX-SPIO/NPCS microparticles were confirmed using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and indicated the existence of mostly hydrophilic groups such as -OH, -C=O, and -C-O-C-. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the dark contrast of SPIO dots encapsulated in the NPCS matrix. Nuclear magnetic resonance T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the produced DOX-SPIO/NPCS microparticles still exhibited T2 relaxation durations as short as 37.68 ± 8.69 ms (under administration of 2.5 μg/mL), which is comparable to the clinically required dosage. In the drug release profile, the DOX-SPIO/NPCS drug delivery microparticle was accelerated in an acidic environment (pH 6.5) compared with that in a basic environment. Microparticles in a cytotoxicity assay (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay) revealed that DOX-SPIO/NPCS microparticles had better antitumor ability than did free-form of DOX. Additionally, microparticles loaded with 0.5–5 μg/mL DOX in an acidic environment (pH 6.5) demonstrated higher efficacy against Hep G2 cell growth, possibly because of the swelling effect of NPCS, resulting in volume expansion and easy drug release. Accordingly, these large DOX-SPIO/NPCS microparticles showed potential for application as a pH-sensitive drug delivery system and as chemoembolization particles for hepatic carcinoma therapy.

In vitro release profiles of PLGA core-shell composite particles loaded with theophylline and budesonide

We investigated the effects of drug loading location, matrix material and shell thickness on the in vitro release of combinational drugs from core-shell PLGA (i.e., poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) particles. Budesonide and Theophylline were selected as highly hydrophobic and hydrophilic model drugs, respectively. The dual-capillary electrospray (ES) technique, operated at the cone-jet mode, was used to produce samples of drug-loaded core-shell composite particles with selected overall sizes, polymer materials, and shell thicknesses. Theophylline and Budesonide were loaded at different locations in a PLGA composite particle. This study illustrated how the aforementioned factors affect the release rates of Budesonide and Theophylline loaded in core-shell PLGA composites. We further identified that core-shell composite particles with both model drugs loaded in the core and with matrix PLGA polymers of low molecular weights and low LA/GA ratios are the best formulation for the sustained release of highly hydrophilic and hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients from PLGA composite particles. The formulation strategy obtained in this study can be in principle generalized for biopharmaceutical applications in fixed-dose combination therapy.

Preclinical evaluation of a nanoformulated antihelminthic, niclosamide, in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer treatment remains a challenge and targeting cancer stem cells presents a promising strategy. Niclosamide is an “old” antihelminthic drug that uncouples mitochondria of intestinal parasites. Although recent studies demonstrated that niclosamide could be a potential anticancer agent, its poor water solubility needs to be overcome before further preclinical and clinical investigations can be conducted. Therefore, we evaluated a novel nanosuspension of niclosamide (nano-NI) for its effect against ovarian cancer. Nano-NI effectively inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer cells in which it induced a metabolic shift to glycolysis at a concentration of less than 3 μM in vitro and suppressed tumor growth without obvious toxicity at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg in vivo. In a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration, nano-NI showed rapid absorption (reaching the maximum plasma concentration within 5 min) and improved the bioavailability (the estimated bioavailability for oral nano-NI was 25%). In conclusion, nano-NI has the potential to be a new treatment modality for ovarian cancer and, therefore, further clinical trials are warranted.

Development and application of micro-polysaccharide drug carriers incorporating doxorubicin and superparamagnetic iron oxide for bimodality treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

In this study, we demonstrated a novel polyelectrolyte microparticle, doxorubicin(DOX)-superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-chondroitin sulfate (CS)/chitosan (CHI)microparticles (MPs), as a drug delivery system for hepatic cancer treatment. We also investigated the properties of these microparticles through composition determination, formulation tests, in vitro study, and in vivo study. The results showed that our DOX-SPIO-CS/CHI MPs had an average diameter of 1.43±0.54μm and exhibited a spherical shape. The encapsulation efficiency of this drug carrier was approximately 31±8.07%, according to our spectroscopic determination. The results of release profile test revealed the sustained-release behavior of DOX-SPIO-CS/CHI MPs, which released 51.5% of DOX within 48h of the testing period. According to the results of a cell viability assay and an animal study, the DOX-SPIO-CS/CHI MPs exhibited stronger cytotoxicity than did free DOX when it was administered to Hep G2 and Huh-6 human liver cancer cell lines in vitro and to nude mice of Hep G2/Huh-6-bearing mice model in vivo.

Defined Host-Guest Chemistry on Nanocarbon for Sustained Inhibition of Cancer

Signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT-3) is known to be overexpressed in cancer stem cells. Poor solubility and variable drug absorption are linked to low bioavailability and decreased efficacy. Many of the drugs regulating STAT-3 expression lack aqueous solubility; hence hindering efficient bioavailability. A theranostics nanoplatform based on luminescent carbon particles decorated with cucurbit[6]uril is introduced for enhancing the solubility of niclosamide, a STAT-3 inhibitor. The host-guest chemistry between cucurbit[6]uril and niclosamide makes the delivery of the hydrophobic drug feasible while carbon nanoparticles enhance cellular internalization. Extensive physicochemical characterizations confirm successful synthesis. Subsequently, the host-guest chemistry of niclosamide and cucurbit[6]uril is studied experimentally and computationally. In vitro assessments in human breast cancer cells indicate approximately twofold enhancement in IC50 of drug. Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence imaging demonstrate efficient cellular internalization. Furthermore, the catalytic biodegradation of the nanoplatforms occur upon exposure to human myeloperoxidase in short time. In vivo studies on athymic mice with MCF-7 xenograft indicate the size of tumor in the treatment group is half of the controls after 40 d. Immunohistochemistry corroborates the downregulation of STAT-3 phosphorylation. Overall, the host-guest chemistry on nanocarbon acts as a novel arsenal for STAT-3 inhibition.

[Molecular mechanisms of niclosamide antitumor activity]

In this review the recent data regarding the antitumor activity of niclosamide and the molecular mechanisms of its antitumor activity are presented. Niclosamide has been used in the clinic for the treatment of intestinal parasite infections. In recent years in several screening investigations of various drugs and chemical compounds niclosamide was identified as a potential anticancer agent. Niclosamide not only inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin, mTORC1, STAT3, NF-κB and Notch signaling pathways, but also targets mitochondria in cancer cells to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis. A number of studies have established the anticancer activity of niclosamide in both in vitro and in vivo in xenotransplantation models using human tumors and immunodeficient mice. It is important that niclosamide is active not only against tumor cells but also cancer stem cells. Normal cells are resistant to niclosamide. The accumulated experimental data suggest niclosamide is a promising drug for the treatment of various types of cancer.

Fabrication of electrospun poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(capro lactone) composite nanofibers for co-delivery of niclosamide and silver nanoparticles exhibits enhanced anti-cancer effects in vitro

An intrinsic property of many anticancer drugs including niclosamide is poor water solubility, which hindered their translation from laboratory to clinics.

Bionanotherapeutics: niclosamide encapsulated albumin nanoparticles as a novel drug delivery system for cancer therapy

In this work niclosamide was encapsulated into albumin nanoparticles through a desolvation method to improve its scope of application in cancer therapy.